Could you enhance/enchant a masterwork shirt like armor?

[The_Universe]

And not a chain shirt either - just a REALLY nice cotton or silk shirt. Could you give it acid resistence? a +1 (or more) to AC via magic?

Could I have a +3 Cotton Shirt of Light Fortification?

What do you think?

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I think this has been discussed before but I don't remember what the consensus was. I think it comes down to whether or not normal clothing has an armour bonus (+0). If it does, then I'd say you can enchant it. If it doesn't, then no.

Regardless, I'd probably allow it in my campaign. The only problem would be that it has the potential to make characters that can't wear normally wear armour a lot more powerful in terms of AC (every wizard is going to have +5 pants, +5 shirt, etc.).

 

[Corsair]

Yes, but it wouldn't be armor, it would be a wondrous item. Just treat it as bracers of armor, but in the vest/vestment/shirt slot. However, since it doesn't match the affinity for that slot, it would be x1.5 the cost. I seem to recall reading somewhere about enchanting bracers of armor with armor special abilities, but now I can't remember where I saw it.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Could I have a +3 Cotton Shirt of Light Fortification?

What do you think?

Only if it's Egyptian Cotton...

It would be up to the DM, but I don't see why not. Reminds me of Morrowind.
Pay 150 gp for a MW shirt. If it were up to me it would not work w/armor on (like it takes up the armor slot). Other than that I would allow armor enchantments on it. Get it glamered to look like armor LOL.

 

[Corsair]

Regardless, I'd probably allow it in my campaign. The only problem would be that it has the potential to make characters that can't wear normally wear armour a lot more powerful in terms of AC (every wizard is going to have +5 pants, +5 shirt, etc.).

Except that you have to determine the type of bonus. If you price it as an armor enhancement or as bracers of armor, either way it means it gives an ARMOR bonus to AC, which would not stack with other armor bonuses. (Meaning wearing a +5 shirt under +5 vest under mundane plate armor only gives you +8 from the plate, not +18)

 

[Lasher Dragon]

The only problem would be that it has the potential to make characters that can't wear normally wear armour a lot more powerful in terms of AC (every wizard is going to have +5 pants, +5 shirt, etc.).

Good point.. yeah, I think I'd put an upper limit on armor bonuses (but maybe not other enhancements) - like it can only be +1 AC, but you can put all kinds of other things on there.

 

[Corsair]

Good point.. yeah, I think I'd put an upper limit on armor bonuses (but maybe not other enhancements) - like it can only be +1 AC, but you can put all kinds of other things on there.

Why need a limit? It wouldn't stack with other Armor Bonuses.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Why need a limit? It wouldn't stack with other Armor Bonuses.

Well, then you have wizards/sorcerors/monks walking around in full-plate that just happens to be made of cotton

 

[Kageneko]

I seem to recall reading somewhere about enchanting bracers of armor with armor special abilities, but now I can't remember where I saw it.

Arms and Equipment mentions it. They discuss how the armor bonus can only go to +8, but you can raise the total bonus to +13 with fun stuff. One of my characters is presently using +5 bracers of armor and heavy fortification.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I see no problem here, ruleswise or balancewise.

Shirt falls within the standard slot list, so classes that cannot normally wear armor are giving something up.

The price is no better than bracers of armor.

I would not impose a slot affinity penalty.